My IMac has 2 Thunderbolt 2 ports.
Can these be used for something?
I do not use an external monitor, but is there some way I can use these ports to give me more USB ports for instance? Is there a hub or cable for that?
ishaan1230 wrote:
Yes, there is exactly a product like this.
Incorrect. That is an Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. It requires a USB-C port that supports both USB and DisplayPort Alt Mode. The OP has Thunderbolt 2 ports with Mini DisplayPort connectors. That adapter won't even physically plug into the OP's iMac, let alone do anything useful when plugged into it.
The OP could perhaps purchase an Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter and use it to connect a Thunderbolt 3 dock. It would have to be a Thunderbolt 3 dock – not a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 one. Thunderbolt 4 and 5 devices only have backwards compatibility with USB-C Thunderbolt host ports, making them incompatible with old Thunderbolt 1 & 2 hosts, even with the use of adapters.
ishaan1230 wrote:
Yes, there is exactly a product like this.
Incorrect. That is an Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. It requires a USB-C port that supports both USB and DisplayPort Alt Mode. The OP has Thunderbolt 2 ports with Mini DisplayPort connectors. That adapter won't even physically plug into the OP's iMac, let alone do anything useful when plugged into it.
The OP could perhaps purchase an Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter and use it to connect a Thunderbolt 3 dock. It would have to be a Thunderbolt 3 dock – not a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 one. Thunderbolt 4 and 5 devices only have backwards compatibility with USB-C Thunderbolt host ports, making them incompatible with old Thunderbolt 1 & 2 hosts, even with the use of adapters.
EpieFreddy wrote: Thank you. It is a 2015 model, with two Thunderbolt 2 ports. I have a USB hub, but I was wondering if there was any way to take advantage of those TB2 ports.
Even if you can find a TB 2 Dock...?
It's not worth it to shell out $300+ for one of those old obsolete TB2 docks, that only works with your 2015 iMac.
Your best bet, is to add 2nd self-powered USB hub or replace your current USB hub with one that has more ports. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G8CMR18/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?
You may be best off getting a powered USB-A hub and plugging it into one of your existing USB-A ports.
It would be a lot cheaper than buying a Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter ($50) and a Thunderbolt 3 dock ($100 – $200) just to add a USB port or two. I just saw a powered USB hub online that had 11 ports with individual on-off switches for under $25; and if you only needed 4 ports, you could get ones cheaper than that.
Thunderbolt 2 can connect to an adapter as mentioned, or to a Thunderbolt dock or hub.
Biggest issue will be obtaining Thunderbolt 2 gear, when Thunderbolt 4 and 5 and related gear are current.
OWC / MacSales has a Thunderbolt 2 dock, and it is available (but not cheap) via OWC on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/OWC-OWCTB2DOCK12P-Thunderbolt-2-Dock/dp/B00UUCQVBK/
Calling OWC / MacSales directly might also source one, though I don’t see it on their website.
If you need added storage and don’t have enough ports, adding a NAS can be an option. Downside: HDD and SSD prices.
What year model is your iMac..?
see > Identify your iMac model - Apple Support
The older Thunderbolt 2/Mini DisplayPort ports, do not easily convert to USB ports.
If you have a 2015 or earlier iMac, you can use a USB Hub in one of the existing USB-A ports.
https://www.amazon.com/atolla-Charging-Splitter-Individual-Switches/dp/B083XTKV8V/ref=sr_1_9?
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Individual-Switches-Included-HB-UMP3/dp/B00TPMEOYM/ref=sr_1_8?
MrHoffman wrote:
OWC / MacSales has a Thunderbolt 2 dock, and it is available (but not cheap) via OWC on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/OWC-OWCTB2DOCK12P-Thunderbolt-2-Dock/dp/B00UUCQVBK/
Calling OWC / MacSales directly might also source one, though I don’t see it on their website.
I think it has been a very long time since Other World Computing carried any Thunderbolt 2 docks on their Web site.
For a while, they carried a "Thunderbolt 2 Docking Station Solution", which was a bundle of
I can no longer find that bundle on OWC's Web site, a sign that even OWC is no longer attempting to keep open the lid of Thunderbolt 2's coffin.
You could roll your own bundle, but the question then is, if you're doing it for an old Mac that can't run any recent version of macOS, are the incremental benefits that you would get (if any) really worth it?
Thank you, but that will not work. That is a USB-C adapter which will plug into a USB-C port or a Thunderbolt 3-4 port. My iMac is the. 2015 model which only has the Thunderbolt 2 ports.
Yes, there is exactly a product like this.
Clicking this link will bring you to the page for one such product, and if you scroll down you will be presented with other similar products.
I hope these solutions help you make the most out of your Thunderbolt ports on your iMac.
Thank you.
den.thed wrote:
Even if you can find a TB 2 Dock...?
It's not worth it to shell out $300+ for one of those old obsolete TB2 docks, that only works with your 2015 iMac.
Your best bet, …
I’d spend the money toward a less-old iMac, as this port-limited iMac has already fallen off macOS support.
Thank you. It is a 2015 model, with two Thunderbolt 2 ports. I have a USB hub, but I was wondering if there was any way to take advantage of those TB2 ports.
I suppose, but I don’t want to use a newer OSX than Mojave, so it can’t be too new. And upgrading to a 2017 may not be worth the effort.
How can I use iMac Thunderbolt 2 ports for more USB ports?
